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suspension Definition

sus·pen·sion (sə spen′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a suspending or being suspended; specif.,
    1. a temporary barring from an office, school, etc.
    2. a temporary stoppage of payment, service, etc.
    3. a temporary canceling, as of rules
    4. a deferring of action on a sentence
    5. a holding back of a judgment, etc.
  2. a supporting device or framework upon or from which something is suspended
  3. the system of springs, shocks, etc. supporting a vehicle upon its undercarriage or axles
  4. the act or means of suspending the balance or pendulum in a timepiece
  5. Chem.
    1. the condition of a substance whose particles are dispersed through a fluid but not dissolved in it, esp. the condition of one having relatively large particles that will separate out on standing
    2. a substance in this condition
  6. Music
    1. the continuing of one or more tones of one chord into a following chord while the other tones are changed, so that a temporary dissonance is created
    2. the tone or tones so continued

Etymology: ML suspensio < LL, an arching < L suspensus: see suspense

suspension Synonyms

suspension

n.

  1. A delay

    postponement, deferment, stay; see delay 1, pause 1, 2, respite.

  2. An end

    halt, discontinuing, stoppage; see end 2, stopping.

suspension Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • disbelief: He said: There's a willing suspension of disbelief.

Converse of object

  • lower: A host of modifications including stiffened, lowered suspension, tweaked power steering and up-rated brakes will ensure the car cuts the mustard dynamically.
  • self-levelling: An interesting 1967 proposal from Moulton Developments to equip the estate models with self-levelling rear suspension unfortunately came to nothing.
  • stiffen: The cover also helps stiffen the rear suspension for precise sport riding.

Adjective modifier

  • rear: A further modification was made to the rear suspension, lowering the chassis to compensate for its normal very high build.
  • colloidal: Our original article presented computer simulation results for the viscoelastic response of a simple model colloidal suspension.
  • conidial: A conidial suspension of the fungus ( 1x 10 6 conidia per ml ) was sprayed on young hazelnut and walnut twigs.
  • hydropneumatic: Technical highlights included Hydropneumatic suspension and an all new platform - later used by Peugeot.
  • temporary: FIELD SERVICES The mobility of offensive operations causes the temporary suspension of some field services.
  • adjustable: Since height adjustable suspension was perfected half a century ago why is it not fitted to every car?

Modifies a noun

  • bridge: At West Boat there is an elegant suspension bridge, which was erected in 1826, at a cost of £ 5,000.
  • seatpost: It sits atop a suspension seatpost, which seems to be soaking up some of the many potholes we have here.
  • fork: We normally have around 100 bikes on show and a huge range of suspension forks, clothing and accessories.
  • set-up: Suspension set-up gives excellent driving responses at the expense of a firm ride.

Noun used with modifier

  • one-match: The former Southampton defender should force his way back into Kenny Jackett's side following his one-match suspension last week.
  • wishbone: It has double wishbone front suspension and should produce good horsepower from its V6 engine.
  • two-match: Ashbee meanwhile will begin a two-match suspension on Saturday, giving an opportunity for someone else to come into the side.
  • torsion: The post-war models, introduced in 1945, had striking styling and their specification included torsion bar front suspension and hydro-mechanical braking.
  • spore: The method used was to make spore suspensions and lawns of the fungus on agar plates.
  • strut: The independent MacPherson strut front suspension coupled with a ZF steering gear allows sharp, precise response.
suspension Quotes

That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.

—Coleridge, Samuel Taylor